BY LARRY R. EVANS
an faith and science live in the same house? Is it possible to be a scientist and a person of faith at the same time? Can a theologian take an honest look at the seemingly contradictory evidence presented by scientists and still have confidence in God's Word? Can church administrators be flexible and tolerant enough to allow scientists and theologians to challenge one another's basic assumptions as they search for harmony between Scripture and science?
These were some of the issues addressed in the August 13-20, 2003, Faith and Science Conference held at the Glacier View Ranch in Colorado.
The conference had no intention of changing the church's beliefs, nor did it aim at drawing up a set of criteria to define orthodoxy. It did, however, attempt to model a process in which a serious and caring dialogue could take place.
This conference, which was held primarily for theologians and scientists in North America, had been preceded by an international one last year in Utah. It will be followed next year by another international conference, which will be held in Colorado. The desire of the conference architects is to demonstrate a process in which Seventh-day Adventists with diverse views are able to work together without ridicule, condescension, arrogance, or unkindness. As Ben Clausen, a scientist and the coordinator for this conference, put it: "There are two sides in the great controversy, but it is not our job to put people in one or the other camp."
The 120 registrants came from nearly every Adventist college/university in North America. Some serving on the faculty in non-Adventist universities were also present. The conference was planned primarily for some of the church's best scientists and theologians to talk about contradictory evidence regarding the many facets surrounding Creation. Some pastors and denominational administrators were also present.
The stated objectives were: (1) to increase the clarity regarding the church's understanding and witness about the biblical account of origins; (2) to identify a strategic plan for the church to communicate science and faith issues; (3) to foster a positive atmosphere for open communication among theologians, scholars, and church administrators; and (4) to heighten the awareness of the importance of the tensions between science and religion issues and to promote an attitude of caring and humility during this time of process. The conference made it clear that both faith and reason are needed in understanding God and the natural world.
Papers were presented to the whole body on preselected topics ranging from the role of Christian education to inspiration and revelation through Scripture, as well as issues raised by geology, biology, physics, and paleontology. Special focus was given to Creation, the age of the earth, and the flood spoken of in Genesis. The role of Scripture and Ellen White in resolving the mysteries of the natural world was often discussed. Much reflection was given to Genesis 1-11.
Mornings and afternoons were devoted to presentations, followed by panel discussions that allowed for interchange of views among the attendees. In the evenings the participants met in groups. Some groups discussed issues of theology, philosophy, and inspiration, while in other groups, physicists, biologists, and geologists discussed faith and science issues as they relate to their specific areas of expertise.
The group furnished their reports on the closing day of the conference. Although these reports gave strong affirmation of belief in Creation, many questions remain regarding how the interpretation of Scripture and the claims of science can be viewed with closer harmony.
Dr. Brian Bull, dean of the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University, felt that the panel discussions "often brought out implications of the positions that the presenters had wrongly assumed would be well understood."
Lowell Cooper, a General Conference vice president, stated that he felt the openness and cordiality that were demonstrated by the attendees were partly the result of the groundwork that had been put in place at last year's conference.
Ivan Blazen, a theology professor at Loma Linda University, noted that two of the greatest contributions of the conference were "the genuine commitment [of the participants] to the church and [the] basic trust in each other's integrity."
Angel Rodríguez, director of the Biblical Research Institute, said, "I was impressed by the excellent spirit of cordiality that characterized the discussion, even during moments of significant disagreements, and by the commitment of the participants to our Lord and His church."
Pastor Larry Lichtenwalter, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, noted "the incredible ability of the biblical record to keep yanking us back to itself."
Perhaps the greatest testimony of the presence of God's Spirit came on Sabbath, when scientists and theologians came together in an outdoor chapel to worship the Creator God. It was a moving experience.
Similar conferences are being held this year in other world divisions in anticipation of next year's international conference.
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Larry R. Evans is the Undersecretary of the General Conference.
